He rolls up his sleeve every two weeks giving platelets, which are especially needed for people fighting cancer. Some platelet donors can give a triple donation every two weeks, and Representative Edwards is one of them.

He’s been donating blood since 1999, making his first platelet donation in 2005, according to the Rhode Island Blood Center.

“Of all the achievements in my life, I take special pride in this one, because I know how much it’s needed, and how many people can be saved,” said Representative Edwards. “Every time you give a pint of blood, you walk out of the donor center knowing that you may very well have saved somebody’s life. There’s not much that compares with that.”

Representative Edwards is one of only five Rhode Island donors who have reached the 100 gallon milestone.

“Jay, it’s hard to find words to express our gratitude for your unwavering dedication to saving lives, not to mention your passionate advocacy for blood donation,” the Rhode Island Blood Center wrote in a Facebook post. “We are simply in awe of the way you show up to help someone else in Rhode Island and beyond with a smile on your face every time.”

To make an appointment to donate blood or platelets at the Providence, Warwick, South County, Woonsocket, Westerly, or Aquidneck Island Donor Centers, call (800) 283-8385 or visit www.ribc.org.

Portsmouth Firefighters (Car 2, Engine 1, Engine 3 & Tower Ladder 1) were called to One Little Harbor Landing on Sunday around 19:15 for the report of a small fire. On arrival the firefighters found a fast moving fire in a storage area and made a quick knockdown with in minutes of arrival. Mutual aid was received from Tiverton Fire, Navy Fire, and the State Fire Marshal, who responded to assist with determining the cause of the fire. While covering Portsmouth, Tiverton Car 3 & Tiverton Engine 3 responded to multiple calls including the report of a fire in Common Fence Point called in from Bristol. Navy Fire responded to an EMS call and transported a patient to Newport ER. Thank you to our mutual aid departments and the good samaritan who called in the fire.